Parks

Greg Hands: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what area of (a) parkland and (b) metropolitan open space there is in each London borough.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The total area of green space and metropolitan open land in each London borough is shown in the table (these categories are not mutually exclusive). Data relating to "parkland" are not available.
	
		Table 1: Area of green space and metropolitan open landby London borough Hectares
		
			 London borough Green space as at 2001 Metropolitan open land 
		
		
			 City of London 19.0 0 
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,267.1 137.8 
			 Barnet 3,541.8 652.9 
			 Bexley 2,318.0 630.6 
			 Brent 956.2 298.8 
			 Bromley 8,722.0 625.1 
			 Camden 531.9 375.6 
			 Croydon 3,218.6 273.3 
			 Ealing 1,719.4 845.5 
			 Enfield 3,749.5 507.5 
			 Greenwich 1,706.3 1,117.8 
			 Hackney 460.2 229.4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 305.6 145.4 
			 Haringey 783.4 448.1 
			 Harrow 1,751.5 282.2 
			 Havering 6,684.5 0 
			 Hillingdon 5,638.9 37.2 
			 Hounslow 2,277.8 806.0 
			 Islington 187.9 13.3 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 187.2 77.5 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1,348.5 499.8 
			 Lambeth 463.4 118.5 
			 Lewisham 807.5 295.9 
			 Merton 1,325.1 962.1 
			 Newham 940.7 282.9 
			 Redbridge 2,274.5 7.5 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2,979.0 2,997.0 
			 Southwark 736.7 485.6 
			 Sutton 1,399.8 526.3 
			 Tower Hamlets 384.9 121.4 
			 Waltham Forest 1,249.6 212.5 
			 Wandsworth 920.1 699.1 
			 City of Westminster 485.4 447.2 
			 All London boroughs 61,342.1 15,159.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Green space includes almost all natural land, such as the natural parts of parks, allotments, agricultural land, road verges and woodland.
	2. Metropolitan open land is a designation unique to London and its function is to protect strategically important open spaces within the built environment.
	Source:
	Greenspace—Generalised Land Use Database (ODPM).
	Metropolitan open land (GLA).

Adult Education

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Learning and Skills Council funding allocations for adult education for 2005–06 on future enrolments by over-25s in Level 3 and Level 4 courses.

Bill Rammell: The Government's Skills Strategy, reaffirmed in the White Paper published on the 22 March, sets clear priorities for public funding to support adults without a platform of skills for employability. However, we also recognise the importance of higher level skills, and the Skills Strategy White Paper set out measures to strengthen support for provision at Level 3 and above. Given that higher levels of qualifications have higher rates of return for employers and individuals, it is also important that this should be reflected in the relative contributions employers and individuals make to the costs of such training.
	We are committed to trialling, in two regions, providing an additional element of subsidy alongside a contribution from the employer for Level 3 training delivered flexibly through NETP. We will invest an additional £20 million per year in 2006–07 and 2007–08 to assess the impact of that way of operating prior to taking final decisions on the routing of public funds for Level 3 training through the National Employer Training Programme.
	We are currently working with the LSC and others to identify the regions for the trials and expect to make an announcement shortly.
	The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for the funding allocations for 2005/06 and for planning provision which meets Government priorities and local needs. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Friend with an assessment of participation by adults in Level 3 and 4 courses funded by the LSC. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	We are currently working with the LSC and others to identify the regions for the trials and expect to make an announcement shortly.
	The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for the funding allocations for 2005/06 and for planning provision which meets Government priorities and local needs. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with an assessment of participation by adults in Level 3 and 4 courses funded by the LSC. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Adult Education

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in adult education in Gravesham are over 60-years-old.

Bill Rammell: There were just over 4.1 million learners in further education (FE) provision funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in 2003–04 in England. Of these learners, 5,459 were based in Gravesham, of which 602 were over 60 years old.
	Additionally, there were over 840,000 learners funded by the LSC enrolled on adult and community learning (ACL) courses in 2003–04 in England, of which 250,000 were over 60-years-old. ACL numbers for individual parliamentary constituencies are not currently available.

Apprenticeships

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have (a) begun and (b) successfully completed apprenticeships related to the construction industry in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Bill Rammell: Figures for those starting and successfully completing apprenticeships in construction funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) derive from the Individual Learner Record (ILR). This was collated for the first time in 2001–02 (as an Interim ILR) and comparable figures are only available for the three years from then. Results for 2004–05 are scheduled for publication in December 2005.
	(a) Table 1 shows the number of starts on apprenticeships or NVQ training done within a work-based learning programme in construction.
	
		Table 1: Number of starts in LSC fundedWBL provision in construction
		
			  Starts 
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Advanced apprenticeships 3,800 2,900 4,600 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 11,900 14,100 17,100 
			 NVQ training 3,900 3,300 1,200 
			 Total—any framework or NVQ 19,600 20,400 22,900 
		
	
	Note:
	Numbers may not add to totals due to founding
	(b) Table 2 shows numbers (and proportions) of learners who successfully completed LSC funded apprenticeships or NVQ training done within a work-based learning (WBL) program in construction.
	
		Table 2: Numbers of successful completers of LSC funded WBL provision in construction
		
			  Framework (x) NVQ only (y) NVQ successes (x + y) Total leavers 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage (number) 
		
		
			 Advanced apprenticeships 2001–02 2,700 (38) 1,10015 (15) 3,800 (53) 7,200 
			 Advanced apprenticeships 2002–03 1,600 (30) 1,200 (21) 2,800 (51) 5,400 
			 Advanced apprenticeships 2003–04 1,400 (27) 1,700 (32) 3,100 (59) 5,200 
			 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 2001–02 1,700 (24) 800 (12) 2,600 (36) 7,100 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 2002–03 1,400 (18) 1,200 (15) 2,600 (32) 8,100 
			 Apprenticeships at level 2 2003–04 2,700 (25) 1,400 (13) 4,200 (38) 10,900 
			 
			 NVQ training 2001–02 — — 1,800 (35) — — 5,100 
			 NVQ training 2002–03 — — 1,300 (32) — — 4,200 
			 NVQ training 2003–04 — — 600 (45) — — 1,400 
			 
			 Total—any framework or NVQ 2001–02 — — 8,200 — — (42) 19,400 
			 Total—any framework or NVQ 2002–03 — — 6,700 — — (38) 17,700 
			 Total—any framework or NVQ 2003–04 — — 7,900 — — (45) 17,500 
		
	
	Note: Numbers and percentages may not add up to totals due to rounding

Student Finance

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the grants available to those students who are unable to afford university fees.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 20 October 2005
	From the 2006/07 academic year, no eligible full-time undergraduate student in higher education will be required to contribute towards their tuition fees while they are studying. Students entering higher education in 2006/07 will be liable for variable fees of up to £3,000; but they will also be able to take out student loans to cover those fees and only pay them off once they are in employment and earning at least £15,000 per year and so able to afford to repay. Eligible students from low income families will also be eligible for a new maintenance grant of up to £2,700, and those who are charged the maximum £3,000 fee will also be eligible for a bursary of at least £300 from their institution. Indeed, most institutions have been significantly more generous than that with bursaries of up to £3,000, and in some exceptional cases up to £5700.
	In 2005/06, full-time undergraduate students attending courses at publicly funded higher education institutions are eligible for a grant of up to £1,175 towards their fees, the actual amount to which they are entitled depending upon the level of their household income. Students who are attending courses at privately funded institutions will be eligible for a non income assessed grant of £1,100 towards the full fee charged by their institution.
	For part-time undergraduate students in 2006/07 there will be an increase of 27 per cent. in the grant for fees as compared to 2005/06. This will mean that a student studying at an intensity of 75 per cent. of the equivalent full-time course who is eligible for £885 in 2005/06 could receive up to £1,125 in 2006/07. In addition, the course grant of up to £250, introduced in 2004/05, will continue to be available.
	As well as improvements to statutory support in 2006/07, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will be provided with additional discretionary funding for fee support. This approach will allow HEIs the flexibility to decide how best to use this resource and support those students who most need extra help.

Avian Influenza

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingency planning has been undertaken in Somerset to protect against an outbreak of Avian Influenza; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 20 October 2005
	DEFRA's Exotic Animal Disease Generic Contingency Plan outlines the Department's response to an outbreak of Avian Influenza among other notifiable animal diseases. The plan was laid before Parliament on 21 July.
	The Taunton office of the state veterinary service held a contingency planning exercise, together with their operational partners and stakeholders, including the local authority and the National Farmers Union, on 17 to 19 October to test emergency preparedness. This is part of the routine programme of testing by the state veterinary service across Great Britain .

Physiotherapists (Essex)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many physiotherapists were employed by the NHS in Essex in 2004–05.

Rosie Winterton: Information as to the number of physiotherapists employed in the national health service is not available in the format requested. However, the following table shows the number of physiotherapy staff and the number of qualified physiotherapists in the Essex strategic health authority (SHA) area as at 30 September2004 (the latest data available) by primary care trust (PCT).
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: physiotherapy staff in the Essex SHA area by organisation as at 30 September 2004 Headcount
		
			  Total physiotherapy staff Qualified physiotherapy staff 
		
		
			 Essex SHA 584 405 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT22 15 
			 Colchester PCT 19 11 
			 Epping Forest PCT 88 58 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 79 62 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 30 23 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust47 38 
			 North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust5 3 
			 South Essex Partnership NHS Trust 9 4 
			 Southend Hospital NHS Trust 145 88 
			 Tendring PCT 24 16 
			 Thurrock PCT 101 78 
			 Witham Braintree and Halstead Care Trust15 9 
		
	
	Source:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre non-medical workforce census 2004.

Immigrant Labour

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the change in the permanently available labour force as a result of immigration to the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked for her to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. John Bercow, dated 21 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the change in the permanently available labour force as a result of immigration in the UK in each of the last 10 years. (18736)
	Table 1 provides the available information on economic activity for foreign nationals and those who arrived in the UK within the last 12 months, for the three month period ending in May, for the years 1994—2005.
	Table 2 provides the available information on international migration, where the main reason for migration is work related, for the years 1994—2003.
	The estimates in tables 1 and 2 are based on sample surveys which are subject to sampling variability.
	
		Table 1: Economically active foreign nationals aged 16 and over resident in UK Thousand
		
			  Economically active(11) foreign nationals 
			 Three months ending May each year Total Entered UK in past year 
		
		
			 1994 1,017 52 
			 1995 1,006 74 
			 1996 998 76 
			 1997 1,053 79 
			 1998 1,147 94 
			 1999 1,112 100 
			 2000 1,213 124 
			 2001 1,282 113 
			 2002 1,375 148 
			 2003 1,449 161 
			 2004 1,581 150 
			 2005 1,668 187 
		
	
	(11) Economically active includes those who are either in employment or unemployed.
	Source:
	ONS—Labour Force Survey
	
		Table 2: Work related(12) migration to and from the UK Thousand
		
			  Immigrants Emigrants Balance 
		
		
			 1994 57.0 68.8 -11.8 
			 1995 56.9 83.2 -26.3 
			 1996 72.1 94.5 -22.4 
			 1997 62.8 88.4 -25.6 
			 1998 83.7 76.3 7.3 
			 1999 93.9 80.4 13.5 
			 2000 108.4 104.8 3.6 
			 2001 123.2 93.7 29.4 
			 2002 107.6 108.6 -1.0 
			 2003 114.4 91.2 23.2 
		
	
	(12) The "work related" reason for migration includes those with a definite job to go to, those on business and au pairs. Those looking for work and working holidaymakers are not included in this grouping. In addition, diplomats, military personnel, merchant seamen and flight crews are excluded from the international migration estimates.
	Source(13):
	ONS—International passenger Survey
	2 Data for 1994—2003 are based mainly on data from the International Passenger Survey. It is supplemented with data on flows between the UK and the Irish Republic. Other data sources allow for the estimation of adjustments to these two components. That is, an adjustment for asylum seekers and their dependants not identified by the IPS and an adjustment for those whose intended length of stay changes so that their migrant status changes.

Racist Assaults

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of racist assaults which took place in (a) South Tyneside, (b) Northumbria and (c) England and Wales in each of the last 10 years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The available information relates to recorded offences of racially or religiously aggravated common assault and less serious wounding.
	In the recorded crime series it is not possible to separately identify those offences which are racially or religiously aggravated. This is because at the time of recording it may not be possible for the police to determine whether the offence has a racial or religious motivation.
	
		Table 1: Recorded offences of racially or religiously aggravated assault—1999–2000 to 2001–02 Number of offences
		
			 Offence Area 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Racially or religiously aggravated less serious wounding South Tyneside n/a 1 2 
			  Northumbria 24 30 50 
			  England and Wales 2,687 3,176 3,463 
			  
			 Racially or religiously aggravated common assault South Tyneside n/a 4 3 
			  Northumbria 20 40 72 
			  England and Wales 4,257 4,711 5,164 
		
	
	n/a = Not available.
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Recorded offences of racially or religiously aggravated assault—2002–03 to 2004–05 Number of offences
		
			 Offence Area 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Racially or religiously aggravated less serious wounding South Tyneside 4 7 8 
			  Northumbria 54 107 104 
			  England and Wales 4,352 4,840 5,312 
			  
			 Racially or religiously aggravated common assault South Tyneside 5 3 4 
			  Northumbria 125 71 56 
			  England and Wales 4,491 4,017 3,677 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Local Government Finance

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been collected by each of the 26 Northern Ireland local government councils through health and safety fines in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: Local Government Councils in Northern Ireland do not collect health and safety fines. In common with the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, Local Government Councils bring prosecutions for breaches of legislation to the Courts and if a prosecution is successful the Courts will decide on the level of fine, if a fine is imposed. The level of fines associated with successful prosecutions taken by each of the 26 Local Government Councils in each of the last four years is set out in the following table. Only Councils that took prosecutions are listed.
	
		
			  £ 
			  2000–01(14) 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Ards — — — — 1,000 
			 Ballymena — — 250 500 — 
			 Banbridge — — — 200 — 
			 Belfast 21,000 600 7,500 2,500 — 
			 Coleraine — — — 300 — 
			 Fermanagh — — 400 — — 
			 Limavady — — 1,000 4,000 — 
			 Lisburn — 1,200 — — 250 
			 Newry and Mourne—  800 1,000 — 
			 Total 21,000 1,800 9,950 8,500 1,250 
		
	
	(14) No complete record of fines available for 2000–01.

Lord Birt

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 12 October 2005, Official Report, columns 662–63W, on Lord Birt, what measures were in place at the time of Lord Birt's employment with McKinsey.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to Lord Birt's letter of appointment. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

Alcohol/Tobacco Deaths

Mike Wood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many deaths in (a) England, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) Batley and Spen (i) consumption of alcohol and (ii) smoking was the main cause in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Mike Wood, dated 21 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking in how many deaths in (a) England, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) Batley and Spen (i) consumption of alcohol and (ii) smoking was the main cause in the last year for which figures are available. (19659)
	The most recently available information for mortality is deaths registered in 2004. Table 1 below shows numbers of deaths among residents of England, West Yorkshire, and Batley and Spen Parliamentary Constituency, where the underlying cause of death indicated a condition directly related to alcohol use in 2004.
	Smoking history is rarely recorded on death certificates. Estimates can however be made of the number of deaths attributable to smoking, by using information on the contribution that smoking makes to specific conditions recorded at death. The most recent estimates for England were published by the Health Development Agency in 2004. 1 This report estimated that over the period 1998–2002 an average of 86,500 deaths were caused by smoking each year in England. The equivalent figure for West Yorkshire was 3,900 deaths. Estimates were not published at parliamentary constituency level. However the percentage of all deaths from causes attributable to smoking, at ages 35 and over, were published for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs). These figures for West Yorkshire and its constituent PCTs are provided in Table 2 below. Batley and Spen Parliamentary Constituency is part of North Kirklees PCT.
	Reference:
	1 Twigg L, Moon G and Walker S. The smoking epidemic in England. Health Development Agency, 2004.
	
		Table 1: Alcohol-related deaths(18) to usual residents of England, West Yorkshire, and Batley and Spen parliamentary constituency, registered 2004
		
			 Area of residence Number of deaths 
		
		
			 England 6,125 
			 West Yorkshire 303 
			 Batley and Spen 13 
		
	
	(18) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).
	The codes used by ONS to define alcohol-related deaths are listed as follows:
	F10—Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	I42.6—Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	K70—Alcoholic liver disease
	K73—Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
	K74—Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
	X45—Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol
	Notes:
	1. Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.
	2. The selection of codes to define alcohol-related deaths is described in:
	Baker A and Rooney C (2003). Recent trends in alcohol-related mortality, and the impact of ICD-10 on the monitoring of these deaths in England and Wales. "Health Statistics Quarterly" 17, pp 5–14.
	
		Table 2: Estimated percentages of all deaths associated with smoking for ages 35 and over, by primary care trusts in West Yorkshire, 1998–2002 Percentage
		
			 Primary Care Trust  
		
		
			 Airedale 30 
			 Bradford City 34 
			 Bradford South and West 36 
			 North Bradford 33 
			 Eastern Wakefield 37 
			 Wakefield West 33 
			 Leeds West 36 
			 Leeds North East 26 
			 East Leeds 38 
			 South Leeds 37 
			 Leeds North West 32 
			 Calderdale 31 
			 North Kirklees 32 
			 Huddersfield Central 31 
			 South Huddersfield 28 
			   
			 Strategic Health Authority  
			 West Yorkshire 33

Family Statistics

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of children lived in (a) single parent families and (b) two parent families where the parents were married, in each year since 1976; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. David Laws, dated 21 October 2005
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on the proportion of dependent children living in (a) lone parent families and (b) married couple families since 1976. (20020)
	Estimates of the percentage of dependent children living in Britain by different family types of the years available are shown in the attached table.
	
		Proportion of dependent children(20) by family type, United Kingdom Percentage
		
			  Married couple family Cohabiting couple family Lone parent family 
		
		
			 1977(21) 90 10 
			 1986 85 2 13 
			 1992 79 5 16 
			 1993 78 6 16 
			 1994 76 6 18 
			 1995 75 7 19 
			 1996 72 7 21 
			 1997 72 8 21 
			 1998 70 8 22 
			 1999 69 9 22 
			 2000 69 9 22 
			 2001 68 10 22 
			 2002 67 10 23 
			 2003 66 10 23 
			 2004 66 11 23 
			 2005 65 11 24 
		
	
	(20) Dependent children are those aged under 16 or aged 16 to 18 who are never-married and in full-time education.
	(21) Split of married and cohabiting couples not available. Figures for 1976 are not available.
	Note:
	percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding
	Sources:
	Pre 1992 General Household Survey (Great Britain), 1992–2005 Labour Force Survey (United Kingdom)

Wages

Peter Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) average wage and (b) median wage for (i) men and (ii) women has been in each year since 2001 in (A) Northern Ireland and (B) England.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Peter Robinson, dated 21 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question what the (a) average wage and (b) median wage for (i) men and (ii) women has been in each year since 2001 in (A) Northern Ireland and (B) England. (19417)
	Currently average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for full time employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	I attach a table showing the Average Gross Weekly Earnings for full time males and females in each year since 2001 for both England and Northern Ireland.
	The ASHE, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a one per cent sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes.
	
		Gross weekly pay for full-time employee jobs(28) £
		
			  Male Female 
			  England Northern Ireland England Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 Mean 
			 2001 509 419 373 324 
			 2002 534 432 394 342 
			 2003 551 448 407 356 
			 2004(29) 569 464 427 382 
			  
			 Median 
			 2001 422 362 319 290 
			 2002 437 371 336 300 
			 2003 452 382 346 309 
			 2004(29) 470 402 363 335 
		
	
	(28)Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.
	(29)2004 including supplementary surveys designed to improve the coverage of ASHE.
	Source:
	Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, ONS.